National Initiatives of NNSW

In January 2017, Sex workers from NNSW and women’s rights activists oppose the conference, “Last Girl’s First” organised by Coalition Against Prostitution and Apne Aap International in Delhi. Over 2000 sex workers signed onto a statement opposing the continued conflation of trafficking and sex work and the complete absence of sex consenting workers from such conference spaces. Women’s groups across the country also developed an independent statement that was submitted to the conference participants.

2017

Prostitution has symbolized oppression, victimization and the exploitation of women for abolitionists who view prostitution as the objectification of women’s bodies; violence against all women; as a symbol of unequal power relations between the sexes and as the commercialization of the ‘intimate space’ of sex. Abolitionists also believe that no ‘real’ good [sic] woman would agree to do sex work.

Open Letter to the delegates of ‘Last Girl First’: Second World Congress against the Sexual Exploitation of Women and Girls (January 29-31, 2017, New Delhi, India) organised by the Coalition for the Abolition of Prostitution International (CAP Intl)

2016

The National Network of Sex Workers [NNSW] India believes that collective wisdom gives depth to and empowers policy, and that people in sex work have the right to be involved in formulating policies affecting their lives. People in sex work have valuable contributions to make and they have the right to a participative space that is non-judgmental and safe.

Nothing About Sex Work without Sex Workers: Towards an Inclusive UN Women Policy on Sex Work was held on 14-15 October 2016, at Bangalore, India. This two day consultation was organised by Sex Workers & Allies South Asia (SWASA) in partnership with Global Network of Sex Workers Project (NSWP); Asia Pacific Network of Sex Workers(APNSW);

Conditions conducive for sex workers to live with dignity in accordance with the provisions of Article 21 of the Constitution of India. SUBMISSION TO THE SUPREME COURT PANEL, BY NATIONAL NETWORK OF SEX WORKERS, INDIA

December 17 is observed world over as the International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers. It was created to call attention to the discrimination, violence and crimes committed against sex workers globally. It has become an occasion for sex workers, rights advocates to come together, organise and remember all those individuals who have faced acts of violence.

2013

The Government of India set up the Justice Verma Commission in the aftermath of the rape of a young woman in Delhi in December 2012. The committee was mandated to “look into possible amendments of the Criminal Law to provide for quicker trial and enhanced punishment for criminals committing sexual assault.”

We, Organisations working with sex workers across the country appeal to the President Of India to reject the Ordinance on the Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill 2012, cleared by the Union Cabinet in an act of haste.

Anti-sex work groups have recently criticised the United Nations’ call for decriminalisation of sex work. This criticism is a continuation of a long history of mixing messages on sex work and trafficking that serves to undermine the human rights of people in sex work.

International and National commitments call on States to exercise “due diligence in preventing, investigating and punishing acts of violence against women” and providing women “access to mechanisms of justice” and due redress in accordance with national legislations.